Nutrition Education and Food AvailabilityPlan of Work

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Carter County CES

Title:
Nutrition Education and Food Availability
MAP:
Accessing Nutritious Foods
Agents Involved:
Myron Evans, Rebecca Konopka, and Whitney Morrow
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farmer's Markets
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Youth Fruit & Vegetable Access
Situation:

Nutrition Education Programs help families gain access to food and stretch food dollars; communities to decrease hunger; and local food assistance programs to educate recipients on healthy and safe food preparation methods. Agents, paraprofessionals and volunteers are pivotal in influencing policies, systems, and environments and in training consumers and producers to maximize local access to food products from farm to table. In Carter County 17.6% of seniors and 27.1% of families with children are below the poverty level. With limited grocery stores in Carter County, many families have little access to nutritious foods.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Carter County population will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings per day


Carter Countians improve food management skills and healthy eating habits


People accessing emergency food sources will select from nutrient dense items

Intermediate Outcomes:

Access more local foods



Redeem Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program benefit.



Plant, harvest and preserve produce



Apply improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits


Number of:


Youth who access other food sources when not in school



Households accessing emergency food sources

Initial Outcomes:

Understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to individual health and financial well-being


Understand the importance of consuming 5 or more fruits and vegetables a day


Learn to grow, prepare and preserve food



Increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and food resource management



Learn about community support services to increase food security

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Understand the importance of consuming 5 or more fruits and vegetables a day

Indicator: Number of children who can identify fruits and vegetables

Method: pre and post test

Timeline: Monthly


Intermediate Outcome: Redeem Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program benefit.

Indicator: Number of Vouchers redeemed

Method: Report from KDA

Timeline: June-Sept.


Long-term Outcome: Carter County population will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings per day

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported eating more healthy foods

Method: Formal Evaluation

Timeline: 4 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Limited resource individuals, families, and farmers markets

Project or Activity: Increase access to fruits and vegetables, Home Gardening Program

Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market, NEP program, Plate It Up KY proud, FMNP certification, Food Preservation publications

Inputs: Agents, NEP Paraprofessional, volunteers, UK resources, KDA, USDA, NEP, local food banks

Date: Summer, ongoing


Audience: Seniors and WIC recipients

Project or Activity: FMNP Vendor Training and Senior Voucher Distribution

Content or Curriculum: State Health Department and KY Department of Agriculture

Inputs: Agents, State and Federal Partners, Health Department, Northeast Community Action, Senior Centers

Date: Summer


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Playdate Program, School Programs

Content or Curriculum: LEAP, WIN, Professor Popcorn

Inputs: Agents, Staff, Volunteers NEP paraprofessional, Schools

Date: Ongoing





Success Stories

Hi-Tunnels Increase Sustainability and Income

Author: Myron Evans

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

In our ever increasing efforts to increase agricultural income and find alternative crops, commercial vegetable production always offers many opportunities. Agent has gotten many calls from individuals requesting information on greenhouse vegetable production. The construction costs of greenhouses and production expenses often make it cost prohibitive for individuals to pursue the endeavor. However, one large greenhouse operation, Garden Gate Greenhouse, applied for and received funds for a gree

Full Story

Backyard Small Fruit Web Series

Author: Myron Evans

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

Eastern Kentucky has the highest food insecurity in the United States.  In Carter County, 4,400 individuals (16.1% of county population) are not sure where their next meal will come from. There is a steady increase in interest from clientele wanting to know how they can become more self-sufficient by growing their own food. Agriculture and horticulture agents in Eastern Kentucky have observed an increase in requests from small backyard fruit growers for guidance. In order to reach a la

Full Story

2018 Farm and Family Field Day

Author: Myron Evans

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

140 individuals attended the Annual Farm and Family Field Day that was held at Gary and Marcella Clay’s farm in Olive Hill on October 11, 2018. The Field day is co-sponsored by the Carter County Extension Service and the Carter County Conservation District. A farm is chosen each year to showcase one of Carter County’s Farm Operations and provide educational opportunities for the whole family. Vegetable production in Hi-Tunnels was this year’s featured program. Hi-Tunnels allow

Full Story
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